Piedmont and the Barolo region itinerary

This year our friend Tommaso is busy getting his Italian Wine  Sommelier certification; wine is a curiosity he has developed over time and to which he has dedicated rather a lot of practice! Years ago he received a “compliment” when he was in the UK that went more or less like this : “Tomato (they couldn’t quite get Tommaso), you drink like an Englishman!” A note of distinction clearly! 

We have organized several wine and food trips to Piedmont over the years, especially during the illustrious Truffle season when the few hotels of note are booked solid and the generally quiet area suddenly becomes bustling with wine and gastronomy aficionados.

Piedmont, the Italian region to the left of Milan (Turin to Milan is roughly one hour’s drive) stretches from the Alps in the north, almost to the coast of the so-called Italian Riviera in its south.

The main city is Turin, once home to the Royal family of Italy and as compared to other Italian cities, rather French in style (even the regional cuisine bears French influences); but Turin is also the city where Fiat cars were created and indeed the car industry was a prominent feature throughout the 20th Century. Car designers like Giugiaro and Pininfarina all worked in Turin.

Left: The noble truffle. Right: Taglierini pasta with truffle shavings.

The area to the south of the city, known as the Langhe are the centre of the wine region, where Barolo is the king of Piemontese wines whilst Barbaresco lies just behind in terms of prestige though it is as great in terms of quality.

Recognized by UNESCO in 2014, Le Langhe’s beauty comes from centuries of human care and dedication: vineyard terraces, hazelnut groves, medieval villages, and hilltop castles arranged with almost pictorial balance.

Le Langhe is about time slowing down: a special meal, a  morning mist, long lunches, thought provoking wines, conversations that linger. It appeals to travelers who value authenticity, discretion and depth over spectacle. 

The days repeat with minor variations. A table set again with linen and glass. A road that bends once more around a familiar hill. Fog lifting, not all at once, but little by little, revealing a church tower, a vineyard row, a line of trees. 

Barolo wines are made from Nebbiolo, a noble but demanding grape. It ripens late, needs perfect vineyard exposure, and reflects terroir dramatically. The name Nebbiolo likely comes from nebbia (fog), which blankets the vineyards during harvest.

This is not a wine for quick impressions. Nebbiolo asks you to slow down, to return to the glass, to notice how it changes over hours, days, even years. It rewards attention, not expertise.

Left: The wine tasting at Gaja. Right: The rolling hills of the Langhe.

So we decided to create a slow trip to the region which we would like to offer  especially to our wine loving guests. For our YPO guests this would work well as a Forum trip or a Wine Network adventure.

There are various ways to experience the region: it can be a “discovery of Piedmont “ which can take place at any time of the year, or a true connoisseur’s and willing drinker’s  trip (this would be created as a bespoke event, gaining access to the very top wineries which do not open their doors to the public). The third option could be a connoisseur’s trip during truffle time (mid November to mid December) with some remarkable restaurants mixed into the fold. Truffle season is a once-a-year hype and an aura of ritual around it, with people who gain access to the best chef’s table, having a sense of regal privilege about them! 

Wine would be the central focus point of the itinerary but Piedmont is also famous for its chocolate, its hazelnuts and the Christmas Panettoni not to mention a great variety of cheeses and meat dishes.

This, unlike so many itineraries in Italy, would not be centered on art history. It is designed expressly for wine lovers but also food lovers as the wines are especially made to accompany the somewhat noble cuisine, typical of Piedmont.

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